Rampur molestation: Police arrest 12 out of 14 suspects, to slap NSA on four

A group of 14 men molested two Dalit women in Tanda area of Rampur on May 22, and recorded the crime on a mobile phone.

Three suspects in the Rampur molestation case being taken to the district court on Monday. (AFP photo)

Police nabbed two more suspects in the Rampur molestation case on Wednesday morning, taking the total number of arrests to 12.

A group of 14 men molested two Dalit women in Tanda area of Rampur on May 22, and recorded the crime on a mobile phone. The incident came to light on Saturday, when the video went viral on the social media.

All the suspects have been remanded in judicial custody. One of them, a minor, was sent to a juvenile home.

The victims were produced before a court on Tuesday, so their statements could be recorded. They also identified the suspects during their appearance.

Police have charged the accused under Sections 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (assault or use of force on a women with intent to disrobe) of the IPC, besides relevant sections of the IT Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

“We have also charged four suspects – Shahnawaz Qadri, Saddam Khan, Naved and Farhan – under the National Security Act because the incident affected public order in the area,” said circle officer Rahul Kumar, who took over the investigation from the Tanda station house officer. “No rape charges have been filed because it was not established in the medical examination. The women have also denied it.”

Meanwhile, a search is on to locate two more suspects in the case. “We have some leads in this regard. They will be arrested soon,” Tada said.